Electric alarm system and apparatus for testing same.



No. 637,9l4. l Patented Nov. 28, T899.

E. `F. WDUDMAN.

ELECTRlC ALARM SYSTEI AND APFARATUS FOR TESTING SAME.

(Applicativi: filed Mar. 9, 1899.'-

(Nn Model.; I 3,Sheets-Sheet I4 Q 4 g 5 L L 30 w51. f fyi.

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Tui Nonms PETERS co, pHoro-urna. WASHINGYON. l C

No. 637,-9I4. Patented Nov. 28, |899. E. F. woonMAN.

ELECTRIC ALARM `SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING SAME.

(Application led Mar, 9, 1899.;`

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Patented mw. 28,1899.

No. 637,9l4.

E. F. wuunMAAL4 ELECTRIC ALARM sYsTEMANn APPARATUS Fon TESTING SAME.

(Application led Mar. 9, 1899.)

` 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

(No Model.)

NrrEn STATES PATENT v'EEECEE DTVARD F. W'OODMAN,OF BOSTON,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO TH NATIONAL FIRE APPLIANOE COMPANY, OF SAMEPLACE.

ELECTRIC ALARM SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 637,914, datedNovember 28, 1899. Application led March 9, 1899. Serial No. 708,305.(No model.)

T0 @Z whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, EDWARD F. WooDMAN, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain,resid`- ing at Boston, county of Suffolk, and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an `Improvement in Electric Alarm Systemsand Testing Apparatus Therefor, of which the following description, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like let-4 ters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

' This invention relates to electric alarm systems employed for theprotection of buildings, and particularly to those wherein the systemincludes a series of thermostats located in the building or buildingsequipped, whereby an alarm is given at one or more predeterminedstations when the operation of a thermostat is effected by an abnormaltemperature. It is necessary in many localities in order to complywithinsurance regulations toprovide such an alarm system with one ormore outside or local circuits, which shall give an alarm when the mainalarm-circuit is operated, such local circuits being preferably providedwith a vibrating bell for sounding the alarm. These local circuitsshould be so constructed and arranged that when a test is made of thesystemV not only will the condition of the main alarm-circuit beindicated, but also thatof each and every local circuit forming a partof the system.

My presentinvention has for its object the production of an electricalarm system so constructed and arranged that the local circuits ifoperative will always be in condition to automatically and separatelyrecord their operation when an alarm is given by or through the maincircuit, and if not operative to indicate that fact, andin connectionwith such system I employ a novel testing apparatus whereby a separateand distinct test of the condition of the main and each local circuit ismade and recorded. By the testing apparatus referred to the giving ofthe alarm or its failure will be indicated for each local circuit, aswell as the character of the alarm. That is, with a vibrating bell inthe local circuit the proper operation of the bell will be indicated orits improper operation-as, for instance, if but a single strokeoccursand the total failure of the alarm to operate will also beindicated, so that at a glance the operation of the entire system may benoted and faults, if any, corrected.

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of an electric alarm system embodying myinvention, with a portion of the testing apparatus in connectiontherewith. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the testing apparatus mountedon a suitl able base,with the terminals for the main and local circuitsand the main and local circuit electromagnets. Fig. 3 is a right-handside elevation and partial section of the testing apparatus, taken onthe line w x, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an inner face view of the movableinsulating plate or carrier which supports the circuit-controllingdevices. Fig. 5 is an outer face View of the insulating-plate containingthe fixed terminals of the several alarm-circuits and With which themovable circuitcontrolling devices cooperate. Fig. 6 is side elevationof the recording-armature of alocalcircuit magnet; and Fig. 7 isadetached view of an indicator or test card, showing two tests recorded.

Herein I have shown a series of alarm-circuits, four in number, whichmay, for instance, extend throughout a building on the dierent stories,denoting the first-story circuit as No. l, the second-story No. 2, andso on, with three local circuits L' L2 L3; but it will be apparenthereinafter that a greater or less number of main or alarm circuits maybe employed and one or more local circuits without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention. I have herein shown normally-openalarm-circuits of the duplex type, with the thermostats 2f, the latteroperating to close the circuit upon a predetermined rise in temperatureand thereby turn in an alarm,the term duplex meaning that eachalarm-circuit comprises two circuits complete in themselves,\vith thethermostats bridging or connected to the latter, so that the severanceof both wires of the alarm-circuit will notdisable it, as will `beexplained hereinafter, and these metallic circuits are also shown asconnected with a firealarm system, as will be described, a suitablebattery B, Fig. l, being provided to furnish the requisite current,while each local circuit ICO is provided with its own battery, as B B2,&c., and a vibrating bell, as B10 B20 B20.

An annunciator AX is connected Wit-h the system, provided with dropscorresponding to the several alarm-circuits and in circuit therewith, asshown in Fig. 1.

The several local circuits are coupled with or connected to the maincircuit by suitable relays R R2, dto., the relay-coils being included inthe main circuit and the armatures being included in the local circuits,it being supposed that the bells in said local circuits will beinstalled in the houses or offices of ditferent persons connected Withthe building provided with the alarm system, so that the alarm Will begiven to each of such individuals, and it Will be observed that thelocal circuits are thus always and permanently coupled With the main oralarm circuit. Each local circuit includes an electromagnet, as M M2,die., which latter are shown as grouped about the dial of the testingapparatus, the several armatures in the present instance being providedeach with a point or stylus, as mm2 m3, Fig. 2, adjacent the face of thedial and arranged radially to the center thereof, for a purpose to bedescribed.

The testing apparatus is herein shown as mounted in a suitable box orcase C and includes,essentially,a fixed disk C of insulating materialsuitably mounted on the metallic frame GX and a cooperating rotatabledisk C2 of insulating material mounted adjacent and parallel to the diskC upon a metal arbor c2,

construction. The disk C is shown separately in Fig. 5, having arrangedupon it the terminals b', @2 b2, @3 b3, dsc., of the several individualcircuits No. 1, No. 2, &c., the latter being led into the casing tosuitable bindingposts @111 Z910, @20 Z920, dto., connected,respectively, by Wires l 2 3 et With the terminals on the disk C', asbest shown in Fig. 1. These terminals are shown as located in radiallines on the said disk and also in arcs concentric with its center, andon an outer arc I have provided terminals @12 Z912, dac., connected byWires 10 2O 30, dto., With terminals @12 Z113 in circuit with theannunciator AX and thence by wire @X to battery B.

Inside the line-terminals b', the., I have shown a series of terminals@15 515, &c., which are connected to each other by Wire 15 and thence bythe Wire @5 to the battery B.

A magnet M, mounted on the metallic frame CX of the testing apparatus,is in circuit by wire 16 with a metal ring 8 in the disk C and withthe-metallic arbor c3 through the frame CX and Wire 17. The armature mof said magnet is preferably provided With a toothed Wheel m6, whichwhen the magnet is energized is brought down upon a test-card D of paperor other suitable material carried on the outer face Vof the disk, saidcards being removable and serving as a recording-dial for the testingapparatus, and by referring to Fig.

`continuously indenting the dial.

` having been made by its stylus m2. held in suitable bearings on theframe and driven by a clock mechanism C2 of any usual 2 it Will be seenthat the toothed Wheel m6 and the several styluses m' m2, rho., arearranged in'a line radial to the center of the dial, so that each canmake its own record thereupon independently of the others. Each stylusindents the dial once for each vibration ofthe bell included in thecorrespondinglocal circuit, and as the disk C2 rotates when a test ismade the record of a properly-operating local circuit Will be a seriesof dots or indentations, While a single stroke of the bell Will berecorded as a dash or continuous mark. Should a local circuit be out oforder, the corresponding stylus Will make no record Whatever on thedial, thus indicating clearly that the `bell did not ring.

The magnet M is brought into circuit only when making a test of thesystem, and at such time the toothed Wheel m6 Will make a series ofindentations on the indicator-card D.

Referring to Fig. 7, I have shown one of the indicator-cards separately,divided segmentally and each space corresponding to an alarmcircuit ofthe system, and in the first space the result of a test for No. 1circuit is shown,

the dotted line 50 indicating by its series ofl dots that the localcircuit L3 was in proper condition, its bell vibrating during the test.The dash 51 indicates that the bell of the local circuit L' made but asingle vibration, the stylus m remaining in contact with and tearing orThe local circuit L2 failed to operate at all, no mark The dotted line53 is the test indication for the alarmcircuit No. 1 of the system. Thesecond section of the dial shows a similar state of affairs so farasregards local circuits L and L2, it being understood that this secondspace records the test for alarm-circuit No. 2. The tests foralarm-circuits 3 and 4 of the system herein illustrated would berecordedin the third and fourth spaces of the dial. Should the entire system bein proper operative position when the test is made, each section of thedial will show a series of dots for the alarm-circuit andas manyadditional series ot' dots as there l are local or outside circuits.

In normal condition the several circuits are in the state shown indiagram Fig. 1, each alarm-circuit being open at each thermostat and, aswill be described, the terminals, as b, of circuit No. 1 are in circuitwith the battery B by connections with the terminals (112 @15,respectively. Taking circuit No. 1, should a thermostat at the right ofthe dotted line 80, Fig. 1, operate, the circuit will be completedthrough post 1910, Wire 1, terminals @1 @12, and Wire 10 throughannunciator AX, wire @X, battery B, Wires @5 and 15 to terminals a15 b,thence by second Wire 1 `of the pair to thermostat, it being observedthat the circuit is completed through the testing apparatus, and anyother of the alarm-circuits can be traced in a similar manner. Shouldthe circuit be impaired between the dotted line 80, Fig. 1, and thetesting apparatus, the

IIO

alarm will still be given, for if a thermostat tothe left of said lineoperates the circuit can be traced as follows: from thermostat by wire100 to post als, annuneiator, Wire ax to battery, wire c5 to post al,and common return-wire 81 to thermostat, the testing apparatus in thisinstance being excluded from the circuit; but in either case the several1ocal circuits will be operated through their respective relays, theline 8O serving merely to indicate some point of the circuit at which abreak may occur, and correspondingly for any other alarm-circuit of thesystem. The other circuits are connected by the wires 200 300, dre.,with the posts Z913 cl3, dsc. Now in order to normally connect theterminals of the several circuits with the terminals L12 @15, Z212 Z915,ttc., and thereby include the battery B and annunciator, the disk C2 isprovided on its inner face with a pair of circuit breakers or bridgesfor each alarm-circuit of the system, it being necessary to describeonly one pair, though in Fig. 4E the proper number are shownK for thefour circuits herein illustrated. The bridges are shown as bifurcatedmetal arms 1960 Z762, Fig. 4, arranged side by side and secured totheinsulating-disk C2, the branches 120 and 122 of bridge Z960 normallyresting upon the terminals cl2 a', respectively carried by the disk C',While the branches 12-1E and 126 of the other bridge Z962 rest upon theterminals b' and a, respectively, the dotted loops 1960 and Z962 on Fig.l diagrainmatically representing the two bridges when the sys- .tem isin normal condition. The direction of rotation of the disk C2 isindicated by arrow 75, Fig. 4, a latch 76, Fig. 2, normally holding thedisk from rotation by its engagement with a stop 77 on said disk,Withdrawal of the latch by a suitable handle 7 8 releasing the disk andpermitting the clock mechanism C3 to effect a single rotation of thedisk. When such test is made, the pairs of bridges described will beWithdrawn` from the normallyengaged series of terminals and breaktheseveral alarm-circuits, and these terminals are successively closed totest each circuit by the rotation of the disk O2, which carries upon itsinner face two separated circuit closers or changers f2 f5, locatedbeyond the last pair of bridges thereupon, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.The circuit-changer f3 is connected by a wire 19 with the metal plate f,secured to the disk and contacting with the arbor c3, so that by saidarbor and the frame C of the testing device the circuit-changer f3 iselectrically connected with the magnet M. A contact-finger f', mountedupon, but insulated from, the plate f, is adapted to Wipe over andmaintain continuous contact with the metallic ring 8 of the disk C', awire 18 connecting said finger 8 and the circuitchanger f2.

To avoid confusion, in Fig. 1 the circuitchangers are not shown in theirproper position relative to the apparatus, but more to show theirelectrical connection with the rest of the apparatus, saidcircuit-changers being so positioned on the disk C;2 that when itrotates they will successively contact with the terminals a b', 0.2 b2,tbc., when the bridges are inoperative, to thereby short-circuit onealarm-circuit after another through the testing apparatus and includethe magnet M for each-of such circuits. Referring to Fig. 1, let it besu pposed that, as described, the circuitchangers f2 f3 are respectivelyin contact with Vthe terminals a and b of circuit No. 1. The latter willbe completed as follows: terminal a'f2, Wire 18 to ring 8, wire 16 tomagnet M, wires 17, frame of testing device, arbor c3, wire 19,circuit-changer f3, terminal b', right-hand Wire 1, common return 8l andwire a5 to battery B, Wire ax through annunciator to post als, wire 100to individual circuit No. 1,post blo, and inside Wire 1 back toterminala', and the energizing of the magnet M will cause its armatureto make a record on the dial D, preferably through the use of thetoothed wheel m6. At the same time the usual local circuits will havebeen operated through their relays, and if the bells therein haveoperated properly or improperly or if they have failed to operate thecondition of each local circuit will be indicated on the dial D,as hasbeen described.

W'hat has been said of alarm-circuit No. l is true of each of theothers, the tests thereof being made and indicated in the successivespaces on the dial as the disk C2 rotates.

Should an alarm-circuit be out of order, the magnet M Will not'beenergized during its test and no record will be made on the dial,showing instantly not only that an alarm-circuit is out of order, butalso indicating which circuit requires attention.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the testing is automatic, theonly manual operation required being the Withdrawal of the latch 7 6 toinaugurate the action of the testing device. The local circuits arealways in circuit with the several alarm-circuits, thus obviating theshunting of said local circuits into or out of operation and preventingthe harmful results which might ensue from the carelessness orforgetfulness of the attendant charged with the duty of making thetests. With the indications of the test-dial it is impossible'forindividuals on the local circuit to wrongfully allege the improperoperation of the local bells, as the actual operation of the bell isclearly indicated on the test-dial.

I have herein shown the system connected with a re-alarm system ofefficient character, the transmitter T (see dotted lines, Fig. l) beingconnected with the main circuit at 26 27, and I have also provided meanswhereby when a test is being made the fire-alarm system will beautomatically cut out.

Referring to Fig. 2, the frame of the testing device has mounted upon ittwo normallyseparated circuit-closers or pens fsofsl, insulated fromeach other and attached to Wires 30 and 31, leading to binding-postsZ280 12301 in IIO the casing C. Wires 320 330 lead from said posts tothe transmitter connections 26 and 27, respectively, so that when thecircuitclosers fo f31 are brought into contact the transmitter will beshort-circuited. The pen f3@ normally rests in a notch e30 in the edgeof the insulating-disk G2, (more clearly shown in Fig. 4,) so that thepoint f32 of the pen f31 will be separated from fao,- but when the diskbegins to rotate the pen fo Will be lifted to contact with the point fazto effect the shortcircuiting of the nre-alarm system. When the disk hasmade one revolution and comes to rest, the pen f3 snaps back into therecess 030 and the ire-alarln system is automatically brought intocircuit.

My invention is not restricted to the precise construction andarrangement herein shown and described, as the same may be varied orrearranged Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Each electromagnet and its armature, with the recording or indicatingportion of the latter, constitutes an indicating device, as it may betermed, and it will be manifest that the indicating device in each localcircuit is responsive to a change in any one of the mainl or alarmcircuits, Whether such change is due to the action of a thermostat or tothe operation of the testing apparatus; but the indicating devicecomprising the magnet M and its armature is operative only when broughtinto an alarm-circuit by or through the operation of the testingapparatus. Accordingly I- have in the claims hereinafter denoted thisdevice as a test-indicating device to clearly distinguish it from theindicating'device included in or forming a part of each local circuit.

Having described my in vention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A protective system comprising a mainalarm-circuit including one or more devices to change said circuit underabnormal conditions, a test-indicating device therefor, one or morelocal circuits each having an indicating device responsive to a changein the main circuit, and a testing apparatusadapted upon operation toconnect said test-indicating device With the main circuit, and throughthe latter to eect the operation of the local-circuit indicating device,Whereby the condition of said main and local circuits will be indicated.

2. A protective system comprising a dupleX, open, main alarm-circuit, atest-indicating device therefor, one or morelocal circuits each havingan indicating device responsive to a change in the main circuit, and atesting apparatus adapted upon operation to connect said test-indicatingdevice With the main circuit, to be actuated thereby, the operation ofeach local-circuit indicating device being also effected by or throughthe main circuit when a test is made.

3. A protective system comprising a plurality of duplex normally-openalarm-circuits provided with thermostats to close the same upon an unduerise of temperature, a testindicating device for said alarm-circuits,one or more local circuits each having an indieating device responsiveto a change in any alarm-circuit, and a testing apparatus adapted uponoperation to successively connect said test-indicating device with theseveral alarm-circuits, to be actuated thereby, the operation of eachlocal-circuit indicating device being also effected by or through eachalarmvcircuit When a test is made.

4. A protective system comprising a plurality of duplex, normally-openalarm-circuits provided with thermostats to close the same upon an unduerise of temperature, a testindicating device for said alarm-circuits,one or more local circuits each having an indicating device responsiveto a change in any alarmcircuit, and a testing apparatus including arecording-dial, said testing apparatus upon its operation successivelyconnecting the testindicating device With the several alarm-circuits, tobe actuated thereby, the said device and the indicating device of eachlocal circuit cooperating with the dial to indicate thereupon thecondition of the alarm and local circuits When a test is made of thesystem.

5. A protective system comprising a main alarm-circuit including one ormore devices to change said circuit under abnormal conditions, atest-indicating device therefor, one or more local circuits each havingan indicating device responsive to a change in the main circuit, and atesting apparatus including a recording-dial adjacent to which theseveral indicating devices are located, said testing apparatus beingadapted upon operation to connect the test-indicating device With themain circuit, and by or through the latter to eect the operation of thelocal-circuit indicating device, the said indicating devices bycooperation with the dial of the testing'apparatus recording separatelythe condition of the several circuits comprised in the system when atest is made.

6. A protective system comprising a main alarm-circuit including one ormore devices to change said circuit under abnormal conditions, atest-indicating device therefor, one or more local circuits having eachan indicating device, to automatically and separately indicate theoperation of a local circuit when an alarm is given by or through themain circuit, and a testing apparatus adapted upon operation to connectsaid test-indicating device with the main circuit, and through thelatter to also effect a test operation of each local circuit and itsindicating device, Whereby the condition of the circuits comprised inthesystem will be indicated.

7. A protective system comprising a main alarm-circuit including one ormore devices to change said circuit under abnormal conditions, atest-indicatin`g device therefor, including a recording member, one ormore local circuits each having a vibrating bell and an indicatingdevice responsive to a change in the main circuit, said indicatingdevice including a recording member vibratable in unison with the bell,and a testing apparatus having a rotatable dial, the operation of saidtesting apparatus connecting said test-indieatin g device with the maincircuit, and through the latter also effecting the operation of thelocal-circuit indicating device,whereby the recording members of saidindicating devices Will denote upon the dial the operative condition ofthe several circuits and the operation of the local-circuit bell when atest is made.

8. A protective system comprising a plurality of duplex, normally-openalarm-circuits, a common test-indicating device for said alarm-circuits,one or more local circuits each having an indicating device responsiveto a change in any alarm-circuit, and a testing apparatus comprising arotatable disk, actuating means therefor, circuit-closers on said diskin circuit with the test-indicatin g device and adapted to contactsuccessively with the terminals of the several alarm-circuits andthereby effect a test operation of said indieating device for eachcircuit, circuit-breakers on said disk, to open the alarm-circuits inadvance of the movement of the circuitclosers, and a dial to cooperatewith the test and local-circuit indicating device and record thecondition of the several circuits in the system.

9. A protective system comprising a plurality of duplex, normally-openalarm-circuits, a common test-indicating device for said alarm-circuits,one or more local circuits each having an indicating device responsiveto a change in any alarm-circuit, and a testing apparatus adapted uponoperation to successively connect said test-indicating device with theseveral alarm-circuits, to b.e actuated thereby, the operation of eachlocal circuit being also eiected by or through each alarmcircuit When atest is made, combined with a y fire-alarm system, and means controlledby the testing apparatus to automatically cut out the fire-alarm systemduring the operation of said apparatus.

10. A protective system comprising a plurality of duplex, normally-openalarm-circuits, a common test-indicating device for said alarm-circuits,one or more local circuits each having an indicating device responsiveto a change in any alarm-circuit, and a testing apparatus adapted uponoperation to successively connect said test-indicating device with theseveral alarm-circuits to be actuated thereby, and to also effect theoperation of each local-circuit indicating device, said testingapparatus including a rotatable disk and a recording-dial about whichsaid several indicating devices are grouped, to produce by theircooperation with the dial a separate record of the condition of eachlocal circuit simultaneously with the test-record of each alarm-circuit.

ll. A protective system comprising a plurality of duplex, normally-openalarm-circuits,a common test-indicating device forsaid alarm-circuitsincludinga recording member, one or more local circuits each having avibrating bell and an indicating device responsive to a change in anyalarm-circuit, each indicating device including a recordin g-stylusvibratable in unison with the bell, and a testing apparatus having arotatable disk provided with a recording-dial adjacent to Which therecording members of the several indicating devices are located,combined with a lire-alarm system, and means controlled by rotation ofthe disk to out out the fire-alarm system during a test, operation ofthe testing apparatus connecting said test-indicating devicesuccessively With the alarm-circuits to effect the operation of itsrecording member, the stylus of each operative local-circuit indicatingdevice recording upon the dial the vibrations of its corresponding bellfor each test of an alarm-circuit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name tov this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDWARD F. WOODMAN.

Witnesses:

T. P. BUTMAN, JOHN C. EDWARDS.

